A few years ago I came very close to heading to Western Australia for a vacation, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, that plan got axed, and I eventually went to Melbourne a couple times a year after that. The experience at Melbourne was very positive, a first rate place where people are friendly, food are good, and places are beautiful.

After a bit of research and going through westernaustralia.com, I now believe that the trips to Australia would have been quite a bit more awesome if I had gone to WA instead.

There’s simply just so much more that’s on offer. Especially for someone who loves both the allure of city as well as the great outdoor.

the city of Perth

The city of Perth is a beautiful city and is often marked by its friendly and laid back environment that visitors like. After all, vacations that are hectic never appeal to me. If I want to have a hectic lifestyle, I can just stay put.

For those who love a dose of good retail therapy, this Western Australian city does not disappoint. Gucci, Prada, LV, Tiffany & Co are all on King Street. For bargain hunters, there’re also the Harbourtown Factory outlets in the city.

Shopaholics covered.

making friends with the quokka on Rottnest Island
the Greenhouse, Fremantle prison tour

Perth is full of quirky surprises too, a prime example is the Greenhouse located at busy St Georges Terrace right in the city. The exterior of the wall is lined wild strawyberry plants. I’d love to be there when the plants start to fruit. What a sight that will be.

The port of Fremantle is a lively fishing boat habor and one of the best preserved 19th century portscapes in the world. The historic Fremantle Prison, Maritime Museum, and Round House are among the tourist attractions.

Of course, never miss the chance to meet Australian creatures when you’re in Western Australia. Rottnest Island is one of the very few places where quokkas can be found. These little marsupials are the size of house cats and look a bit like a cross between rodent and kangaroo, too cute.

Coral Coast, and yes that’s a dolphin

A couple hours north of Perth is a scenic stretch of coastline by the name of Coral Coast. If sand surfing, wind surfing, four-wheel driving, or feeding dolphins are your thing, this is the place to go.

Near by there’s also Lobster Shack, a popular tourist attraction in Cervantes where visitors get to tour the lobster farming facility (and order some to go, of course)

At the top of the picture collage above is the famous Pinnacle desert that is formed over million of years. At spring time (August to October), the weather is milder and there are wild flowers blooming at the moon-scape like terrain, a uniquely beautiful place.

whale shark at Ningaloo Reef

For me though, the one thing that I would cherish most is probably the chance to dive with whale shark at Ningaloo Reef. These magnificent creatures usually visit the reef between April and July each year. They’re only the largest fish in the ocean, and the number one marine creature I want to dive with right now.

I dive with manta rays & mola-mola in Bali, but whale sharks? That’s a whole different category altogether.

wine and dine at Margaret River

Just 3.5 hours away from Perth is Margaret River, often considered as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Western Australia’s gourmet offering, definitely the place for people who loves good food.

The area is perfect for growing grapes, and accounts for 30% of Australia’s premium wine production. This is a result of its Mediterranean climate and pristine environment.

Winery hopping, anyone?

Australian delicacies at Margaret River

The restaurant in premier Margaret River boutique hotel Cape Lodge is placed in the top 10 hotel restaurants in the world by respected travel magazines. Now that’s a place I want to visit. They also offer cooking classes as well, very tempting.

festival and events at Western Australia

For those who loves festivals and events, here’s the list of what’s happening at the region in 2012, do take advantage of the events and plan your trip accordingly.

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 1 to 19 March

Telstra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River 19 to 26 March, Margaret River

Fremantle Street Arts Festival 7 to 9 April, Fremantle

Margaret River Wine Region Festival 13-16 April, Margaret River

Busselton Festival of Triathlon 4 to 6 May, Busselton

Ningaloo Whaleshark Festival 25 to 27 May, Exmouth

Truffle Kerfuffle – Southern Forests Food Festival, 16 June, Manjimup

Picasso to Warhol: Twelve Modern Masters 16 June to 3 December, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth

This post illustrates but a very small sample of what Western Australia has to offer, visit westernaustralia.com for everything that you need to know for the very promising vacation destination.

Visitors who purchase Perth/Western Australia Package at the MATTA Fair from 16-18th March will receive an Extraordinary Deals booklet worth up to AUD 2,000 in savings and a Western Australian gift pack. Be sure to check out those deals at MATTA Fair.

Discuss : Wanna go to Western Australia, mate?

Me and a bunch of people *drove* to Perth from Melbourne. It took us 2 1/2 days, I hear it can be down in under 2 days. This is something only uni students would do – non-stop driving, we had 3 drivers and we only stopped for toilet breaks.

It would have been great to break the under 2 day “record” (which is not a record per se since lots of people on campus has done it before) but still quite an achievement.

I went to Western Australia twice while I was studying in Melbourne. It’s a beautiful place, The Pinnacles was the reason I went the first time. 🙂

It’s a pretty nice place – and it is not an old people place (Despite people saying that) ! Let me know when you are going – will let you know some good Fish And Chip (BEER BATTER) places. my second home many years ago! How i miss it !!

Everyone I know who returns from a tour to Perth, has only one word to say: Boring! I spent 3 years there and love every bit of it. Tourism Western Australia should do something about these boring tours, so as not to tarnish its image any further kekeke. I recently planned a trip for my colleague with kids, and hope they won’t come back saying Boring! too.http://crazydigest.blogspot.com/2012/02/perth-7d5n-itinerary.html

Wow! I have met many Australians in my travels. In fact, a ton of them pass through the hostel I own in Quito, but your pictures add a lot to their words. The scuba diving looks incredible. Are there certification sites nearby for the uncertified?

Also, I am interested in the wine production. What is the region most famous for?